Knee decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a right knee disability. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The issues of acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee condition, and left knee condition are pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensable, as his hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right and left knee disabilities and OSA due to unclear opinions in the addendum.

The Board has determined that the most recent VA examination is inadequate for rating purposes due to a lack of information about flare-ups and instability. The case is being remanded for further development, including an additional examination.

The Veteran's left hip disorder is being remanded for clarification as it appears to have been granted service connection in the September 2020 rating decision, which was not an issue on appeal. The RO should correct this procedural error and address whether service connection can be established for the left hip disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee disabilities, including entitlement to increased ratings and TDIU prior to July 1, 2013. The examination of his knees is also required.

The Veteran seeks restoration of a 30% rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, which was reduced from 30% to 20% in March 2016. The Board finds that the reduction was improper and restores the 30% rating as of April 1, 2016.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an effective date earlier than August 23, 2012, for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board determines that the correct effective date is August 23, 2012.,The Veteran contends he should be entitled to a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder prior to February 7, 2017. The Board finds that the current 70% rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral flat feet, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and left knee disability due to potential aggravation of pre-existing conditions during service. Additional evidence is needed and an expert opinion is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee disability, left knee disability, sinusitis, and low back disability due to new evidence received since the final September 2004 rating decision. The claims are currently under review.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right knee and ankle conditions are related to service, as well as whether any existing low back condition is related to service. The examiner will also address whether these conditions are secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hypoglycemia has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.,Service connection for a dental condition is denied as there is no evidence of loss of substance of body of maxilla or mandible from trauma or disease such as osteomyelitis during service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory condition, claimed as breathing problems, to include as due to asbestos exposure, has been denied as there is no current diagnosis and the evidence does not support an in-service event related to this condition.,Service connection for a skin condition (dermatofibromas) is denied as there are no records showing anatomical loss of mandible or maxilla during service.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for mouth lesion has been remanded due to the lack of consideration of in-service complaints and the need for clarification regarding the diagnosis pattern.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded as there are no records showing a specific exposure event related to this condition during service.,Service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, right hand middle finger disability, right hand ring finger disability, and right hand pinky finger disability have all been remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation and consideration of in-service complaints and current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for VA examinations. The issues include left arm, left knee, head trauma residuals, and eye disability as secondary to head trauma.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent disability rating for his right knee meniscal tear, ACL tear with surgery and resultant osteoarthritis is denied. The Board has also remanded the case to obtain updated treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and right knee conditions, finding no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition. Service connection was also not granted for a back condition due to lack of sufficient evidence.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed knee conditions is denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee scars, degenerative arthritis, and instability due to unclear findings regarding her service-connected conditions and inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of initial ratings for right and left knee disabilities.

Your right knee disability has already been granted service connection in a previous decision. This appeal is dismissed as the issue is moot.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement is rated at 60 percent, the maximum schedular evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5055. The Board finds that his symptoms of severe painful motion and weakness more nearly approximate this rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for a left knee disability should be remanded due to incomplete service records from his National Guard service.